Tim Elko from the Chicago White Sox faces an eight-month recovery after ACL surgery. Learn about the timeline for his return.

Chicago White Sox first baseman Tim Elko underwent surgery Tuesday to repair a torn ACL in his right knee, according to Scott Merkin of MLB.com. The procedure was performed by Dr. Lyle Cain at the Andrews Sports Medicine and Orthopedic Center in Birmingham, Alabama.

The White Sox announced that Elko is expected to be sidelined for eight months, which would put his return timeline around mid-season 2026.

From Sprain to Surgery

The injury saga began on July 11 when Elko left a doubleheader game against the Cleveland Guardians with what was initially diagnosed as a right knee sprain. The 26-year-old was placed on the 10-day injured list and missed three weeks before returning to action.

Elko completed a rehab assignment with Triple-A Charlotte and was activated from the IL in early August. However, a recent examination revealed the need for surgical intervention to address the torn ACL.

Story continues below.

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Challenging MLB Debut Season

The surgery caps a difficult 2025 season for the Ole Miss product, who struggled to translate his minor league success to the majors. In 67 plate appearances across multiple call-ups, Elko hit just .145/.209/.355 with four home runs and eight RBIs, posting a troubling 41.8% strikeout rate.

Despite his MLB struggles, Elko showed his potential in the minors, slashing .315/.387/.597 with 24 home runs and 65 RBIs at Triple-A Charlotte this season.

College Hero’s Professional Journey

Elko gained national recognition during his college career at Mississippi, where he famously played through a torn ACL during the 2021 season and helped lead the Rebels to their first College World Series championship in 2022. The Chicago White Sox selected him in the 10th round of the 2022 draft.

His professional career has been marked by both promise and setbacks. After a strong 2023 minor league campaign where he hit 28 home runs across multiple levels, Elko earned his first MLB call-up in May 2025.

Recovery Timeline

With the eight-month recovery timeline, Elko will likely be placed on the 60-day injured list during spring training and miss the majority of the 2026 season. The extended absence gives him time to fully recover while the White Sox continue their organizational rebuild.

For a player already fighting to establish himself at the major league level, the lengthy recovery represents another significant hurdle in what has been a challenging transition from college star to professional baseball player.